Over 100 cartons & 400 packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes found in bonnet of M’sia-registered car
The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) once again busted a potential smuggler when it uncovered more than 100 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes about to be brought into Singapore.
They were hidden in the bonnet of a Malaysia-registered car, said ICA in a Facebook post on Thursday (27 Aug).
Source: Immigration & Checkpoints Authority on Facebook
Car directed for enhanced checks at Woodlands Checkpoint
On 16 Aug, the car attempted to enter Singapore via Woodlands Checkpoint, ICA said.
However, ICA Search and Examination officers directed it for enhanced checks.
Source: Immigration & Checkpoints Authority on Facebook
A search uncovered more than 100 cartons and 400 packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes concealed in the vehicle’s bonnet.
Source: Immigration & Checkpoints Authority on Facebook
M’sian driver arrested
The authorities subsequently arrested the driver, a 28-year-old Malaysian man, in connection with the suspected attempt to smuggle duty-unpaid cigarettes into Singapore.
Both the items and the man were referred to Singapore Customs for further investigation.
In the Facebook post, ICA affirmed its mission to facilitate trade and travel while keeping Singapore’s borders safe and secure.
Cigarettes also found in M’sia-registered car on 10 Aug, including in bonnet
The latest case came six days after a similar one on 10 Aug, also involving a Malaysia-registered car that attempted to enter Singapore via Woodlands Checkpoint.
In a Facebook post on Tuesday (25 Aug), ICA said its officers also directed the vehicle for enhanced checks and found more than 700 cartons and more than 100 packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes.
They were concealed in various modified compartments of the vehicle, including its bonnet, according to ICA’s photos.
Source: Immigration & Checkpoints Authority on Facebook
Some of the contraband items were hidden under and even inside the seats.
Source: Immigration & Checkpoints Authority on Facebook
The driver, a 30-year-old Malaysian man, was similarly arrested, and he and the exhibits were referred to Singapore Customs for further investigation.
Offence to import duty-unpaid cigarettes
Under the Customs Act and the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Act, buying, selling, conveying, delivering, storing, keeping, possessing, or dealing in duty-unpaid cigarettes are serious offences.
Those convicted of offences involving duty-unpaid goods can be fined up to 40 times the amount of tax evaded and/or jailed for up to six years.
In February, ICA noted a significant increase in contraband smuggling attempts in its Annual Statistics for 2025.
The authorities foiled 57,400 such cases last year — a 30.6% jump from the 43,900 in 2024.
Several cases involved the smuggling of contraband cigarettes in cars with modified compartments or concealed among other goods in lorries, it added.
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Featured image adapted from Immigration & Checkpoints Authority on Facebook.
